Africa must take up opportunities in geopolitical shifts – Mahama on trade wars
President John Mahama has called on African countries to take advantage of the evolving global geopolitical landscape to strengthen their economic positions. Speaking at the 2025 Kwahu Business Forum on Friday, April 19, he emphasized the importance of transitioning from a trade-based economy to one focused on industrialization and entrepreneurship.
Mahama noted that Africa has often been left behind during major global changes—from the Cold War to globalization. However, he believes the continent now has a real chance to benefit from current geopolitical shifts, especially the ongoing trade wars between global economic powers.
“The world is changing and new opportunities are being thrown up, and we as a country must take advantage of those opportunities,” he said.
He stressed that these tensions between major economies are prompting a realignment in global production. According to him, this shift presents Africa with a unique window to break away from its traditional role as a passive trader and embrace new roles in manufacturing, technology, and agribusiness.
Mahama urged a rethinking of Africa’s economic mindset, stating, “Africa must shake itself out of the mindset that we are only traders.” He believes that with the right strategies, the continent can lead in areas such as digital entrepreneurship and value-added agriculture. “We can be anything that we want,” he added.
The President argued that the current unpredictable global climate, driven by economic and political instability, actually creates opportunities for long-overlooked regions like Africa to rise. By capitalizing on these global disruptions, Africa can strengthen its economic standing and reduce dependency on foreign markets.
The Kwahu Business Forum, where Mahama made these remarks, is part of a series of events that bring together business leaders, investors, and policymakers to discuss innovative solutions for economic development in Ghana and beyond. The forum emphasizes the need for private sector growth and sustainable economic strategies.
Mahama’s call to action underscores the urgency for African nations to act decisively, reposition their economies, and participate actively in global value chains rather than remaining on the sidelines.
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